Florida Gov. Scott’s Unpopularity Will Be Trouble for GOP Presidential Candidate in State

Florida’s Republican Governor Rick Scott is now among the most unpopular major politicians in America. A new Quinnipiac poll finds that, by a 2-1 margin, Floridians disapprove of his job performance.

Florida voters disapprove 57 – 29 percent of the job Gov. Rick Scott is doing, the worst score of any governor in the states surveyed by Quinnipiac University and down from a 48 – 35 percent disapproval in an April 6 survey, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

The state’s new budget is unfair to people like them, voters tell the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll 54 – 29 percent. Gov. Scott and the State Legislature are equally responsible for the budget, 68 percent of voters say. The legislature’s job approval rating is nearly identical to that of the governor, as voters disapprove 56 – 27 percent, compared to 47 – 35 percent disapproval in April.

Given Scott’s abrasive style, it is going to be very difficult for him to turn around public opinion.

It will be interesting to watch what impact Scott’s extreme unpopularity will have on the 2012 presidential election. Florida is by far the biggest swing state, and will likely be a must win for the Republican presidential candidate. Campaigning heavily in a state while keeping a significant distance from your party’s highly unpopular governor is going to be a very tough and unpleasant balancing act.

Jon Walker

Jonathan Walker grew up in New Jersey. He graduated from Wesleyan University in 2006. He is an expert on politics, health care and drug policy. He is also the author of After Legalization and Cobalt Slave, and a Futurist writer at http://pendinghorizon.com